2024-05-04T11:43:54-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150315157/maya-bird-murphy-and-the-chicago-mobile-makers-deepen-their-roots-in-community-change-with-the-opening-of-their-new-headquarters Katherine Guimapang 2022-07-01T17:54:00-04:00 >2024-03-15T01:45:58-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/1a/1a20623b2c7ce56c13095dedeef4da6a.jpeg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>When reading through architectural media, it's easy for larger architecture firms or "prominent" names to rule headlines. However, many design practitioners and groups are making impactful changes in the industry and their communities beyond the media clout. This is the case for architectural designer, maker, and educator&nbsp;<a href="https://archinect.com/people/cover/149996026/maya-bird-murphy" target="_blank">Maya Bird-Murphy</a>, Founder and Executive Director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://archinect.com/firms/cover/150052629/chicago-mobile-makers" target="_blank">Chicago Mobile Makers</a>.</p> <p>If you're familiar with the Oak Park, Illinois native, it's due to her work with Chicago's local youth and her team of designers and educators leading workshops in their hard-to-miss repainted UPS trucks.&nbsp;</p> <p>What started as <a href="https://archinect.com/people/project/149996026/master-of-architecture-thesis-chicago-mobile-makers/150190257" target="_blank">a thesis project for Bird-Murphy</a>&nbsp;during her time at <a href="https://archinect.com/BostonArchitecturalCollege" target="_blank">Boston Architectural College</a> soon grew into the award-winning non-profit it is today. After reflecting on her own experiences as a Black female architecture student and designer working in firms, she saw the need to increase diversity within the industry. The architect/non-profit founder soon realized this change in re...</p>